Improvement in barbed fences



`T. SHUMAN.l Barbed Fenvoev. No. 211,349, Patentedlan.1f4,'1s19..

mm l .lmlllgm l v n cf INvEnToR il intr if? D i AT ES THOMAS SHUMAN, OF OORNING, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF I-IIS RIGHT TO GEORGE A; MORSE, OF SAME PLACE.

'IMPROVEMENT IN BARBED FENCES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 211,349, dated January 14, 1879 application filed November l5, 1878,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THoMAs SHUMAN, of Corning, in the county of Adams and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Barbed Fences; and I do hereby declare the following; to be afull, clear, and

` exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in barbed fences. i

Heretofore barbed fences have ordinarily been constructed in suoli a manner that the sharp-pointed barbs will project laterally from thewire or iiat metal stringers composing` the fence 5 and such construction has been found objectionable in actual use, owing` to the fact that tractable as well as unruly stock are often badly injured, being lacerated by coming in contact with the laterally projecting barbs withouttirst having made any attempt to make a breach in the fence.

nThe object of my invention is to provide a barbed fence of `:suchconstruction that cattle may rub against the fence without being injured; but when an attempt is made to escape from the inclosure by forcing through the'fence, verticallyprojecting barbs located on the wires and between the same will be effectual in preventing a breach bein g made in thefence.

To this end my invention consists in a barbed fence having iiat metal strips barbed on opposite ends, secured to the adjacent wires of the fence by loops formed on opposite ends of said strip.

loops; and Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a fence embodying my invention.

A represents a flat metal strip, of any desired width, len gth, and thickness. The opposite ends ot' strip A are formed by pressing or shearing to constitute the barbs a a', and also on opposite ends of strip A are formed the return-bend loops b b.

The central portion of the strip A is cut into diagonally on opposite sides, and the severed portion bent backward, thus causing the barbs c c', or any desired number, to project outwardly from the strip A in lines parallel therewith.

`In Fig. 2, B, G, D, and E represent the `four wires of a fence. are connected with each other by means of the strips A, which are placed at suitable distances apart, and the attaching-loops b b bent around over the respective wires B C, thus firmly securing the several strips A to these wires. The wires Gand D are also connected together by the strips A, the latter being arranged to intersect the several barbed strips on the wires B C. The wires D E are also connected in the same manner, and the barbed strips are arranged to alternate with those connecting thewires C D.

It will be observed that each barbed strip A is furnished with four barbs, a a c c', the first two projecting from opposite ends of the strip, while the last two project from opposite sides thereof, and all the several barbs are located in a plane parallel with the barb or line of direction ofthe fence. In other words, none of the barbs project outwardly at right angles from the fence.

Every opening through the fence is guarded by four barbs, which project inwardly or to ward the center of the opening, thus rendering it impossible for an animal to make a breach in the fence. I:[he barbed strips not only prevent the escape of the stock inclosed thereby, but also serve to retain the wire or iiat metal strin gers of the fence in their proper relative positions.

My improvement is adapted -to be applied to fences of any number of wires, and, also, it is immaterial whether Wire, iiat metal, or boards constitute the fence, as the strips may The upper wires, B and C,

be readily attached to either construction or l opposite ends thereof, and laterally-projecting form offence. barbs a a on opposite sides of the strip, sub- I would have it understood that I do not stantiallyas set forth.

limit myself to the exact construction shown In testimony that I claim the foregoing I and described 5 but, have hereunto set my hand this 7th day of Having fully described my invention, what November, 1878.

I claim as new, and desire to secure by Let` THOMAS SHUMAN.

ters Patent, is- Witnesses:

A barbed fence provided with flat metal R. A. MOORE,

strips A, having loops I1 b and barbs c c on BEN. WIDNER. 

